Singhvi is victim of BJP's vindictiveness: Congress on tax row

New Delhi: Congress today alleged that party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi, caught in a controversy over alleged Income Tax evasion, is a victim of “vindictiveness” of BJP for his campaign on the black money issue.The AICC

New Delhi: Congress today alleged that party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi, caught in a controversy over alleged Income Tax evasion, is a victim of “vindictiveness” of BJP for his campaign on the black money issue.

The AICC also targeted BJP for the closure of a cheating case against Kiran Bedi who, it said, has become a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“It is complete vindictiveness. News is being deliberately leaked by BJP as Singhvi has spoken out a lot against that party and the government on the black money issue,” Congress General Secretary Ajay Maken told reporters.

According to reports, the Settlement Commission (SC) has added over Rs 91.95 crore to Singhvi's declared professional income over a three-year period and slapped a penalty of Rs 56.67 crore.

The order has since been stayed. Singhvi had moved the Commission on his own but a probe was launched subsequently.

Singhvi has insisted that the SC order in the matter suffers from “legal malice and perversity”. He has accused his various “friends” in politics and the profession of raking up the issue.

As regards to Bedi, another party General Secretary, Shakeel Ahmed, said the case against the former IPS officer is being closed as she has now turned a Modi supporter, “who can do no wrong”.

Delhi Police crime branch has reportedly filed a closure report in a cheating case against Bedi. The development has triggered speculation of the former IPS officer joining BJP.

Bedi, previously associated with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, has voiced her support for the Narendra Modi government.

Before the December 2013 polls in Delhi, a section of the BJP was reportedly keen on making her the chief ministerial candidate of the party.